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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on March 17, 2006, at 22:32:43
That I prefer meds as needed because things change so much from day to day. Weeks go by when I can't stay awake. But I don't want to be on an activating drug on a daily basis because more often I buzz horribly from anxiety. Usually antianxiety drugs make my life bearable. But I can't take them on a daily basis, because sometimes I can't wake up. Yes, I'm on a mood stabilizer, and that's great. But it's working wonderfully for my migraines right now, and I don't want to mess with it.
So my old pdoc let me take meds on an as needed basis. And I'm pretty good about taking the minimum I need for whatever is wrong at the moment.
But I'm almost scared to tell my new pdoc about that. Because if emotional problems are caused by chemicals, how come mine change so much? And I'm scared he'll want to fix me by prescribing something that will have unpleasant side effects, including emotional ones.
Will I ever find such a flexible pdoc again?
Is it really so odd? It's true about everything isn't it? I have weeks at a time when my IBS is really bad, and other times when it's really not, and I can't necessarily trace it to anything in my life. Same thing with my migraines and reflux. Why is mental health any different?
Posted by Deneb on March 17, 2006, at 22:52:01
In reply to Do you think my new pdoc will understand?, posted by Dinah on March 17, 2006, at 22:32:43
I really don't know if your new pdoc will let you take your meds p.r.n.
I mentioned to my last pdoc (pdoc2) that some people take Risperdal on an as needed basis (I got that info from you actually :-) ) and he told me that it wasn't going to work on an as needed basis. He told me I needed to take it everyday. He was pretty set against the p.r.n thing.
Can you get your old pdoc to talk to your new pdoc? If things have worked for you in the past, I don't see why they have to change now.
Deneb*
Posted by Dinah on March 17, 2006, at 23:34:46
In reply to Re: Do you think my new pdoc will understand? » Dinah, posted by Deneb on March 17, 2006, at 22:52:01
I certainly hope so. He was one of the three doctors referred by my old pdoc, and the letter from the one who moved said that he'd forward on my file at the request of the new pdoc. I'm not sure if they can be in contact verbally. Maybe if enough patients switch to him, he could do briefing sessions by phone.
Everyone's different, and I'm sure daily dosing works best for some people. Maybe even most people. It just doesn't work well for me, even on the medications that are most helpful. Except for mood stabilizers, perhaps.
Oh, and I so hope he stays in his own seat too. I hate doctors who are too intrusive personality wise. The pdoc before this one scared me senseless.
My appointment is Monday, and initial visits are expensive, and I don't want to go through a lot of them. I just saw the reminder, and I'm getting a bit anxious about it.
Posted by Deneb on March 17, 2006, at 23:51:09
In reply to Re: Do you think my new pdoc will understand? » Deneb, posted by Dinah on March 17, 2006, at 23:34:46
> I certainly hope so. He was one of the three doctors referred by my old pdoc, and the letter from the one who moved said that he'd forward on my file at the request of the new pdoc. I'm not sure if they can be in contact verbally. Maybe if enough patients switch to him, he could do briefing sessions by phone.
Hmmm...if your new pdoc gets the file, he will see how things have been working for you and I doubt he would change your meds if everything is going okay. Since your old pdoc referred you to the new pdoc, he must think things will work out between the two of you.
I would try not to worry too much about it.
> Oh, and I so hope he stays in his own seat too. I hate doctors who are too intrusive personality wise. The pdoc before this one scared me senseless.
That's interesting. I've never had that problem before. I would be curious to find meet one like that one day.
> My appointment is Monday, and initial visits are expensive, and I don't want to go through a lot of them. I just saw the reminder, and I'm getting a bit anxious about it.
Good luck on the appointment. I hope it works out.
Deneb*
Posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2006, at 11:49:40
In reply to Re: Do you think my new pdoc will understand? » Dinah, posted by Deneb on March 17, 2006, at 23:51:09
I think you have to sign a release then they will forward your old records. My last pdoc charged for that which is absurd in my opinion. Good luck gg. Love Phillipa
Posted by fairywings on March 18, 2006, at 14:54:19
In reply to Do you think my new pdoc will understand?, posted by Dinah on March 17, 2006, at 22:32:43
Hi Dinah,If he was referred by your old pdoc, maybe they'll be of the same mind. All you can do is hope he'll understand, and try not to be too nervous.
I think pdocs see so many ppl in so many different circumstances that it's entirely poss. he'll have a good understanding - unless he's the type who thinks he knows better than you do how you feel.
My pdoc is like your old one. He bases meds on how I feel, and trusts me to know what works and what doesn't. I don't mind insight, but I do mind being rx'd things that don't work, or things that make me feel worse.
I hope the pdoc you see on Monday is wonderful.
fw
Posted by Dinah on March 21, 2006, at 12:02:24
In reply to Re: Do you think my new pdoc will understand? » Dinah, posted by fairywings on March 18, 2006, at 14:54:19
He scares me a bit, in a different way than Dr. D did. He's very abrupt. I answered a lot of his questions incorrectly because when I get nervous I can't think straight. When I corrected myself he seemed to be even more abrupt.
I think I wish I could find a female pdoc. Or at least a non-intimidating male.
But... He's willing to continue my meds as they are. And take over the psychotropic meds originally prescribed by my neurologist so I don't have to see so many doctors. And he asked (several times - I guess because I appeared to be such a nitwit) for me to fax my latest bloodwork to him. So he's apparently thorough.
Posted by fairywings on March 21, 2006, at 16:32:32
In reply to Well, not wonderful, posted by Dinah on March 21, 2006, at 12:02:24
Yikes! I don't like abrupt at all. I hope you'll be okay with it, and it's probably a relief that he'll continue with meds as they are. Are you going to hang on to those other names your old pdoc gave you, just in case?
fw
Posted by Dinah on March 21, 2006, at 18:24:53
In reply to Re: Well, not wonderful » Dinah, posted by fairywings on March 21, 2006, at 16:32:32
Naw, for ten minutes every three months and not having to see a sleep disorders neurologist I dislike even more, abrupt I can live with.
And I did like that he asked to see my bloodwork, even if he did it three times. I've never had a pdoc do that either.
I just am wistfully wishing to have a *great* pdoc. I have never had one. Not to take the place of my therapist or anything. But someone I felt comfortable sitting down and spending ten minutes with. Like my old headache neurologist. She was great. She'd walk in, appear to remember me, follow up on something from the last time. And she could assess my mood completely accurately at a glance.
Posted by fairywings on March 21, 2006, at 19:22:23
In reply to Re: Well, not wonderful » fairywings, posted by Dinah on March 21, 2006, at 18:24:53
>>>She'd walk in, appear to remember me, follow up on something from the last time. And she could assess my mood completely accurately at a glance.
LOL, too funny Dinah! You made me laugh - maybe she DID remember you! She sounds wonderful, what happened to her?
I LOVE my pdoc, wish they were all like him. I think he's one in a million.
fw
Posted by madeline on March 21, 2006, at 19:43:30
In reply to Well, not wonderful, posted by Dinah on March 21, 2006, at 12:02:24
I will admit that I am very lucky, my therapist is a psychiatrist (very very rare), so I don't have to manage multiple docs.
However, I know it may be tough to swallow, but I am like you about doctors, I would rather have thorough and abrupt than pleasant and sloppy.
Hope this works out for you.
Maddie
Posted by Deneb on March 21, 2006, at 21:55:35
In reply to Re: Well, not wonderful, posted by madeline on March 21, 2006, at 19:43:30
> I will admit that I am very lucky, my therapist is a psychiatrist (very very rare), so I don't have to manage multiple docs.
Me too! My therapist is a psychiatrist. She's great. She mostly does therapy with me.
Deneb*
Posted by Deneb on March 21, 2006, at 21:56:37
In reply to Well, not wonderful, posted by Dinah on March 21, 2006, at 12:02:24
Maybe once he gets to know you better he won't be so abupt anymore.
Wishful thinking?
Deneb*
This is the end of the thread.
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